Monday, March 8, 2010

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

ATLANTIC CITY – Queen of Peace’s 130-pounder Frank Cagnina has already put his name among the best wrestlers ever to step on the mat in the history of New Jersey high school wrestling. As the state’s all-time leader in wins and already a two-time state champion, he put on his singlet one more time looking to cap his career in dominating fashion. Even with an undefeated Tyler Scotton of Willingboro in front of him, Cagnina refused to let Scotton or anything else stand in his way.

Cagnina scored a first-period takedown in vintage fashion and that was all he needed. His Bergen County record 83rd victory in a row was his perhaps the best performance of his career. The Lehigh-bound senior was in control from start to finish. His 7-0 victory over Scotton marked his state-record 164th career victory, his third state title and he was this year’s only state champion from North Jersey at the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships on Sunday in front of 8,500 fans at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Cagnina was nearly pinned in the semifinals against Jeff Canfora of Delbarton and trailed heading into the third period before scoring two single-leg takedowns to pull out a 7-5 victory.

“I just wanted to go out and set the pace after what happened in the semifinals,” said Cagnina. “Against (Canfora) I was wrestling not to lose and it almost cost me. I know (Scotton) is a really tough wrestler and I had to be much more aggressive. Not too aggressive where I could get caught, but enough to score a lot of points.”

Midway through the first period, Scotton attempted to scoot out of bounds after Cagnina grabbed a hold of his ankle. Cagnina tip-toed to stay in bounds and pull Scotton back in for a two-point takedown and a 2-0 lead after one period.

“Once he got the first takedown, the match was his to lose,” said Queen of Peace head coach Scot Weaver. “You saw that fire and that emotion just in his eyes. He was on a mission. Frank (Cagnina) is as determined, if not more, than anyone I have ever been around. He worked extremely hard for this moment and he seized it.”

Cagnina started off on the bottom for the second period and immediately escaped. He added a takedown a minute later and another one in the third period. When the final buzzer sounds and most wrestlers win a state title, it is usually followed by an elaborate celebration with coaches, family, and friends. But for Cagnina, it ended with the way 164 of his 168 career high school matches ended. With a slight smile and his hand being raised by the referee. Cagnina had not lost to a New Jersey opponent since the 2008 state semifinals.

“It feels good to accomplish what I set out to do,” added Cagnina. “But I want to accomplish more things. It’s nice that I will be able to reflect back on this day. But now I have new goals in mind and will continue to work hard to get to that next level.”

Two other finalists represented North Jersey, but fell one step short of gold.

Passaic Valley’s 145-pounder Frank Crocco had a fantastic run through the tournament, defeating two-time state champ Anthony Baldasaro of Delsea in the quarterfinals and then C.J Cobb of Williamstown in the semis to become the first Passaic Valley wrestler to reach a state final since Chris Parr won the 135-pound title in 1982. But he ran into a buzzsaw yesterday against Taylor Walsh of Camden Catholic, who already had state title to his credit. Walsh took command of the match early with a takedown and two back points. He eventually handed Crocco an 8-2 loss, his first of the season.

While Crocco did not reach his ultimate goal of a state title, he earned a ton of respect in the process and was able to soak up every minute of a memorable weekend.

“This year’s tournament was everything I hoped it would be and more,” said Crocco, who finished with a 39-1 record. “The crowd was great and that definitely gave me an extra boost to wrestle that much harder. “Walsh’s height really gave me problems and I couldn’t get into an offense. It was even tougher to make things happen when I had to force it because I was down by four points. But to beat a two-time state champ and then make a state final is a great way to end out your senior year. I left it all out on the mat, it just wasn’t enough today.”

St. Peter’s Prep senior Kevin Innis was the top seed at 215 pounds and held up his end heading into the final by cruising through his weight class with six and four-point victories in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively. There he met Zach Greenwald of Paulsboro, whom he beat 3-1 earlier I the season at the All-Star Wrestling Classic. It ended with the same score this time, but only with Innis on the wrong end of it.

The score was tied at 1 going into the first overtime period. Innis tried to end it quickly by trying for a single-leg takedown. He got a hold of Greenwald’s leg, but did not get enough drive out of it to take him down. Greenwald was able to spin around Innis and score a takedown 21 seconds in to end the match.

“It’s really disappointing to end a great season this way,” said Innis (39-2), who will wrestle for Boston University next year. “I think I could have wrestled better, but I have to give credit to (Greenwald). Honestly, he was the better guy on the mat today. He got the win and he deserved it.”

Other North Jersey Place-Winners:
103 – Nick Gravina, Northern Highlands 5th
112 – Jeff Rottingen, Ramsey 8th
119 – Joe Orecchio, Don Bosco Prep 3rd
125 – Connor Melde, Bergen Catholic 4th; Andrew Polidore, Queen of Peace 5th
130 – Julian Quintero, North Bergen 7th
135 – Vin Fava, Elmwood Park 7th
140 – None
145 – None
152 – Keith Switzer, Bergen Catholic 8th
160 – Frank Mattiace, Don Bosco 6th
171 – Jamie Westwood, Queen of Peace 3rd, Mike Khoury, St. Joe’s (Mont.) 4th
189 – None
215 – A.J. Mott, DePaul 6th
HWT - None

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